British Minister for Universities and Science visits IIT in Chennai

Published: Thursday, July 29, 2010, 11:50 [IST]

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Chennai, July 29 (ANI): Leading a delegation of educationists, British Minister for Universities and Science, David Willets, visited the Research Park of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), the country's premier engineering academy at Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Willetts was enlightened about the latest developments and trends in education, science and research in India.

He also addressed a gathering of faculty members and research scholars and later interacted with the media persons on Wednesday.

"I very much believe that the we and India can cooperate more in the future. There is already excellent cooperation with 60 million pounds going on research projects where we work together and I very much hope the result of this visit there will be even more cooperation in the future. We believe that the exchanges two-ways between India and Britain can benefit both countries," said Willets.

He also said that universities in Britain would welcome Indian students and there would be a regulatory body to check the dubious institutions, which lure the youngsters on the pretext of dispensing education.

"We are committed to controlling the total number of migrants coming to Great Britain and the way we will be doing that is by cracking down on bogus colleges in Britain which are encouraging people into Britain who are not real students but we suppose the strong genuine educational links between students in India and Great Britain," added David Willets.

He welcomed the Indian government's proposal for 14 universities collaborating with UK universities for studies and research and said he would speak about it during his talks with Kapil Sibal, India's federal Minister of Human Resource Development.

Willetts is accompanied by a very high level delegation that comprises of the President of Universities UK and Vice Chancellor of Exeter University, the Vice Chancellor of the Open University and the Rector of Imperial College, UK. By Jaikumar (ANI)